World Press Freedom Day

On Tuesday 05 May 2026; The World Press Freedom Freedom Conference Side events in Lusaka will now take place in the Mulungushi Wing within the Mulungushi International Conference Centre. The Registration for the World Press Freedom Day conference on 4 May grants you access to side events on May 5. However, please note that you will need to pick up your badge on May 4 from 07:00-09:15 Main Auditorium 9:00 - 16:00 - African Media Convention TAEF Hosted by the AMC Steering Committee, chaired by Mr. Churchill Otieno, President of The African Editors’ Forum (TAEF), in collaboration with UNESCO, the African Union Commission (AUC), the Network of Independent Media Councils in Africa (NIMCA), the M20 and other partners. Contact: izak.minnaar@gmail.com Room 3 9:00 - 16:00 - Academic Conference University of Zambia The Academic Conference on the Safety of Journalists brings together scholars, policymakers, journalists, and civil society actors to examine current challenges and emerging researc...

On Monday 04 May, 2026, from 17:45 - 18:00 - The WPFD 2026 Closing Ceremony will be held. This segment provides an opportunity to reflect on the key outcomes and messages from the conference . It will highlight the main takeaways and reinforce commitments to advancing press freedom . The session is also designed to set the stage for continued action beyond the event . Hon. Cornelius Mweetwa, MP, Minister of Information and Media, Government of Zambia. Ms. Mariya Gabriel, Assistant Director-General Communication and Information, UNESCO.

  On Monday, 04 May 2026, from 14:40 - 15:30 - PLENARY III - Media Viability, Pluralism and Inclusion. This panel explores pathways to viable, independent, and diverse media ecosystems, including support to local and community media, gender equality, inclusion of marginalized voices, and policies that strengthen long-term resilience. Speakers Dr Joe Ageyo, Editor in Chief, Nation Media Group. Ms Susan Makore, Managing Director of the Global Women in News Team, World Association of News Publishers (WAN-IFRA). H.E. Ms Karolina Stasiak, Ambassador of the European Union to Zambia and COMESA H.E. Mr Takehiro Kano, Ambassador, Permanent Delegate of Japan to UNESCO and Chair of the International Programme for the Development of Communication (IPDC) Moderator:  Mr. Carlos Van Meek, Deputy Executive Director of Editorial, Digital Division, Al Jazeera  Q&A  15:30 - 15:45 - Coffee Break 

  On Monday 04 May 2026; from 14:00 - 14:40 - PLENARY II - Digital Transformation, Artificial Intelligence, and Information Integrity This panel analyzes how digital platforms, algorithms, artificial intelligence, and new information actors reshape freedom of expression, media independence, and public trust and how governance frameworks grounded in human rights can respond to these transformations. Dr Tabani Moyo, Regional Director of the Media Institute of Southern Africa (MISA), member of the African Union’s Working Group on Artificial Intelligence Ms Tracy Manners, Deputy Vice President, Director of Global Affairs, Meta Oversight Board Ms Juliet Nanfuka, Researcher, Technology, Society & Power CIPESA Moderator: Ms. Teldah Mawarire, Media & digital expert Q&A

  On Monday May 04; 2026, from 11:50 - 12:35 - PLENARY I - Press Freedom, Peace, Security and Economic Development. This panel examines the importance of journalism in conflict, crisis, recovery, and peacebuilding contexts , including “zones of silence,” journalist safety, and the fight against impunity, recognizing that protecting journalists is inseparable from protecting societies’ right to information . H.E. Mr Churchill Ewumbue-Monono, Ambassador of Cameroon to Ethiopia and Djibouti, Permanent Representative to the African Union and the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa. Mr Gilbert Sendugwa, Executive Director, Africa Freedom of Information. Dr Phathiswa Magopeni Tshangana, Executive Director, Press Council of South Africa & Chairperson of NIMCA. Dr Vera Slavtcheva-Petkova, Reader in Global Journalism and Media, University of Liverpool. Mr Andrew Dabalen, Chief Economist for Africa, World Bank video. Moderator: Ms. Misako Ito, Regional Adviser for Communicati...

  On Monday 04 May 2026, from 11:05- 11:35 - Launch of the Southern Africa Press Freedom Report. Report launch and discussion Mr Tabani Moyo, Executive Director. Media Institute of Southern Africa (MISA) Discussion of the Report: Mr Morden Mayembe Director for Press and Media Development in the Zambia Ministry of Information and Media, Mr Bongani Mkhaliphi, Government of Eswatini, Mr Cosmas Chitauro – Government of Zimbabwe Ms Susan Makore, Managing Director of the Global Women in News Team, World Association of News Publishers (WAN-IFRA) MODERATOR : Mr Al Amin Yussuf, CI Regional adviser for Southern Africa, UNESCO

On Monday 04 May 2026, from 7:30 - 9:15 - Badge pick-up Mulungushi Building Main Auditorium. 9:15 - 9:25 - Artistic performance by the Africa Dance Factory 9:25 - 9:30 - Opening Masters of Ceremony:  Ms. Jacqueline Chishimba. Mr. Franklyn Tembo Jr. 9:30 - 9:45 - Set the scene Ms. Mwiza Zulu, Artist, Activist and Content Creator. 09:45 - 10:00 - Testimonial Mr. Mohamed Zakaria photojournalist and filmmaker known for courageous documentation of the humanitarian crisis in Sudan’s ongoing civil war. 10:00 - 10:30 - Opening addresses. Ms Mariya Gabriel, Assistant Director-General Communication and Information, UNESCO. H.E. Mr Takehiro Kano, Ambassador, Permanent Delegate of Japan to UNESCO and Chair of the International Programme for the Development of Communication (IPDC). Hon. Mr Cornelius Mweetwa, MP, Minister of Information and Media, Republic of Zambia 10:30- 10:40 - Lightning Talk Prof Chaloka Beyani, UN Under-Secretary General and Special Advisor to the Secretary-G...